The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his headaches are rated as 10 percent prior to April 2012 and 50 percent thereafter. The issues of service connection for upper extremity pain and TDIU have been remanded.
The deciding factor: The VA examination showed forward flexion of the cervical spine at 35 degrees, which corresponds to a 10 percent rating. However, his testimony indicated that his range of motion was worse than measured, with reduced motion due to frequent flares and headaches. The Veteran's headaches meet the criteria for an initial 10 percent rating prior to April 2012, and a 50 percent rating thereafter.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine, Bilateral upper extremity pain including peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 11, 2016
- Citation
- 1632007
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1632007.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied a disability rating greater than 30 percent for degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant an increased disability rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine prior to January 8, 2019 is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine is related to service, specifically an in-service motor vehicle accident. Service connection for this condition is granted.
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